A Job WELL done: Motherwell Season Review 2013/14

It's been yet another dramatic season at Motherwell as the Steelmen once again claimed second spot against all the odds. Here, Wishaw Press Sports reporter Nick Thomson charts the ups and downs of a remarkable campaign...

And McCall and his staff deserve endless credit for somehow pulling it off.

Yes, there have been huge setbacks — none moreso than the loss to Albion Rovers at the end of November.

The result at New Douglas Park is arguably the worst in the club’s history, and has been made all the more painful given how the competition opened up in the later rounds with St Johnstone eventually claiming the crown on Saturday.

The League Cup also was a case of “what might have been” as the Steelmen were controversially knocked out of the competition by eventual winners Aberdeen.

Even in the league season there were a number of dark days for the Well.

A 4-0 home reverse to Dundee United was a sore one — and that was followed a few weeks later by a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic on a snowy Friday night.

The 3-0 loss away at St Johnstone and the 3-2 defeat at St Mirren also hurt, as did the 5-1 thumping at Tannadice to United just a few weeks ago.

But each of those horror shows brought out the best attribute of this Motherwell side — character.

The Albion Rovers and Celtic losses within the space of a week were massive blows, but they sparked a run of six wins on the bounce and included 5-1 and 4-0 wins over Partick Thistle and St Johnstone respectively.

Then the 5-1 hammering at Tannadice had many pundits writing off Well’s chances of finishing second, but they rallied again and won their last three games to (not for the first time) prove the doubters wrong. The win at Pittodrie on the final day will go down in Motherwell folklore.

Few had given them a hope of getting anything, but with the last meaningful kick of the campaign, Craig Reid knocked home after an incredible scramble.

Lucky? Perhaps, but there is no doubt this Motherwell earn their luck, and the spirit and togetherness McCall has fostered will stand them in good stead ahead of what already looks to be an intriguing new season.

August

1 — Motherwell 0 Kuban Krasnodar 2

Ivelin Popov’s brace gave Well a mountain to climb.

4— Hibernian 0 Motherwell 1

Henri Anier ensured the league start was better.

8— Kuban Krasnodar 1 Motherwell 0

Spirited show not enough to prolong euro run.

11— Motherwell 1 Aberdeen 3

Dons put themselves in the early second box-seat.

17— Inverness 2 Motherwell 0

Caley inflict second damaging defeat in a week.

24— Motherwell 1 Partick Thistle 0

John Sutton’s first of the season gives Well narrow victory.

31— Motherwell 2 Kilmarnock 1

Comeback ensures month ends on a winning high.

September

14 — St Mirren 0 Motherwell 1

Sutton was the man on target again as the league form showed signs of picking up.

22 — Dundee Utd 2 Motherwell 2

Late Lionel Aisnworth screamer secured a point and announced the Englishman’s arrival in Scotland.

25 — Livingston 1 Motherwell 2

League Cup campaign starts well with goals from Bob McHugh and James McFadden before Livi pulled one back late-on.

28 — Motherwell 3 Ross County 1

A Sutton brace and one from McHugh saw ‘Well come from behind against the Highlanders.

October

5 — Celtic 2 Motherwell 0

As is normally the case at Parkhead, the Hoops brushed Well aside thanks to Stokes and Commons

19 — Motherwell 2 Hearts 1

Again the Steelmen had to come from behind at home. Stevenson put the Jambos ahead before Craig Moore and Shaun Hutchinson secured the points.

27 — St Johnstone 2 Motherwell 0

Poor Perths performance leads to loss thanks to May and Hasselbaink goals for the Saints.